Man sentenced to 5 years in sex trafficking sting

Published On: May 07 2014 11:30:16 AM CDT

Fargo, ND -

The first sentence has been handed down in an online sex trafficking sting on the North Dakota oil patch that resulted in more than a dozen arrests.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland on Tuesday sentenced 34-year-old Clayton Lakey, of Billings, Montana, to five years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release. Lakey must register as a sex offender.

Lakey had pleaded guilty in federal court to coercion and enticement of a minor.

Authorities say Lakey agreed to pay for sex with a person he thought was a juvenile. He was arrested at a Dickinson hotel.

The investigation known as "Operation Vigilant Guardian" was centered in Dickinson and Williston in October and November.

A spokesman with the federal public defender's office was not immediately available for comment.